United Nations published this video item, entitled “Women and Girls in Science, Yemen, Ukraine/SC & other topics – Daily Briefing (11 February 2021)” – below is their description.
Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Yemen
– Security Council/Ukraine
– Haiti
– Myanmar
– Somalia
– South Sudan
– Afghanistan
– UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
– COVID-19/Rwanda
– Ecuador
– Guatemala
– Secretary-General/Lunar New Year
– Women and Girls in Science
– Honour Roll
YEMEN
The Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, has concluded a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia. In Riyadh, he met with Saudi Deputy Minister of Defense, Prince Khalid bin Salman; the Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Bin Mubarak; and the US Envoy to Yemen, Tim Lenderking, as well as other officials.
In his meetings, he discussed the latest developments, including the hostilities against Ma’rib and the prospects of resuming an inclusive political process.
Mr. Griffiths further discussed the acute fuel shortages in Ansar Allah-controlled areas and the need for immediate actions to avoid worsening of the humanitarian and economic situation.
Mr. Griffiths warned that we are seeing an uptick in military hostilities and constant threats to the lives of Yemeni women, men and children. This must stop, he said.
SECURITY COUNCIL/UKRAINE
Today, the Security Council held an open meeting by video conference on Ukraine. Briefing Council members, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, said that since the Trilateral Contact Group agreed to an indefinite ceasefire that came into force on July 2020, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has reported a significant decrease in civilian casualties and exchange of fire.
However, she said that the humanitarian situation has not improved and noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the difficult socio-economic conditions of civilians in conflict-affected areas. This includes the further tightening of already severe restrictions on freedom of movement across the contact line.
Ms. DiCarlo also noted that more than 3.4 million people are still in need of sustained humanitarian assistance. More than half of those in need are women, and 40 per cent are the elderly.
HAITI
In Haiti, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that the number of people in need has increased drastically over the past year. As a result, 40 per cent of Haiti’s population of 11.4 million – over 4.4 million people- will require humanitarian assistance this year.
This considerable increase is a consequence of a series of socio-political crises that have significantly impacted existing fragilities and impacted the resilience of the Haitian people. Haitians have also been hit by the spread of COVID-19 and the impact of natural disasters, such as last summer’s tropical storm Laura.
Insecurity has also increased in the country. This includes kidnappings, clashes between armed gangs leading to civilian deaths, the burning of houses and the displacement of people. Public demonstrations and strikes have also continued to paralyze basic services. Most schools in Haiti have been closed since the first week of February. However, our colleagues tell us that there are indications that schooling may resume next week if the security situation allows.
In 2020, 1.4 million people in Haiti were reached with humanitarian assistance through the Humanitarian Response Plan, receiving US$155.7 million out of the $472 million requested.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=11%20February%202021
United Nations YouTube Channel
Got a comment? Leave your thoughts in the comments section, below. Please note comments are moderated before publication.